Automatic brushmaking machine



y 12, 1964 c. D. CARLSON ETAL 3,132,901

AUTOMATIC BRUSHMAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27, 1962 jnz/ (Zz'ffar fl Qzrlsom H07 amesfigelz'a'm May 12, 1-964- c. D. CARLSON' ETAL AUTOMATIC. BRUSHMAK-ING' MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27', 19.625

y' 1964 c. D. CARLSON ETAL 3,132,901.

AUTOMATIC BRUSHMAKING; MACHINE Filed Sept. 27, 1962 3' Sheets-Sheet" 3.

United States Patent 3,132,901 AUTOMATIC BRUSHMAKING MACHINE Cliffard D. Carlson, Geneva, and Harold James Hazelton, Batavia, Ill., assignors to Carlson Tool and Machine Company, a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 226,516 20 Claims. (Cl. 300-3) This invention relates to a brushmaking machine, and more particularly to a brush back drilling and tufting machine wherein drilling and tufting heads are moved to different stations for serially and continuously fabricating brushes.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved brushmaking machine.

The brushmaking art is a very old one, and its evolution from handwork to machine work has been slow. This slow transition has been due, at least in part, to the inherent nature of brushes. For example, each of the many tufts of a brush is made up of many individual bristles which must be accurately counted and divided into a tufting group which is folded upon itself and usually anchored in a socket in a brush back. These tufts are often inserted into brush back sockets so that the center tufts are generally perpendicular to the brush back and the outer tufts flare outwardly from the brush back. While many other inherent characteristics of brushes have contributed in requiring complicated brushmaking machines, the grouping, shaping, and inserting of tufts in brush back sockets is itself a complicated process, and machines for doing this work are difficult to build because they must have very small parts for handling the bristles andtufts, and yet these parts must be very strong. Space requirements are a further hindrance in the design of brushmaking machine since the tufts are closely spaced on a brush back and each tuft must be properly positioned and anchored on the brush back without damaging other tufts.

A successful machine well suited for such work is shown in a 1947 UnitedStates Letters Patent to Carl son 2,415,083, wherein drilling and tufting heads are retained in fixed position in a brushmaking machine and cooperate with brush back holders movable below these heads so that a brush back may be drilled in a holder and then transferred under the tufting head. However, during operation this machine requires an attendant to load, unload, and transfer the brush backs due to the limited number of drills and tufters and limited relative movement of the drilling and tufting' heads and the brush back holders. An even earlier example of a brushmaking machine is shown in a 1924 United States Letters Patent to Fisher, 1,512,588. A later patent of Carlson, 2,689,152 teaches the use of continuous conveyor for moving brush backs below drilling and tufting heads fixedly mounted 'on a machine body.

Movement of brush back holders with respect to the heads in tufting of the brush backs is limited by the inherent nature of the machine shown in the United States Letters Patent 2,415,083. For example, when his desired to machine manufacture a flared brush, prior commercially acceptable machines have not been well suited to full automation. A flared brush manufactured in a machine, such as those disclosed in the aforementioned patents, requires that the brush back holder move forward and rearwardly as well as sideways, and sometimes up 3,132,901 Patented May 12, 1964 tions, and brush fabricating heads mounted for relativemovement between a plurality of positions operatively associated-with the stations.

Another more specific object is provision of a new and improved automatic brushmaking machine which holds brush backs at permanently located stations for processing by first and second brushfabricating apparatus mounted for movement on the machine so that this apparatus is successively operatively associated with each of the brush backs.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a brushmaking machine embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view of the machine and a control system for the machine;

FIGURES 3-8 are schematic views of a portion of the brushmaking machine in various positions, the left hand portion of each figure being in elevation and designated a, and the right hand portion of each figure being designated b and illustrating a plan view in the same position, and more particularly: 1

FIGURE 3 shows the machine in operative position at the beginning of a cycle;

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate intermediate positions of the machine moving to a second operative position as shown in FIGURE 6; I

FIGURE 7 shows another intermediate position as the machine moves back to the first operative'position as shown in FIGURE 8 wherein the machine is working on brush backs; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG- URE 2.

While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and hereinafter described in detail one specific embodiment,-

with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is'not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated-.- The scope of the invention;

will be pointed out in the appended-claims.

The invention is, in brief, directed to a brushmaking machine having a frame, means for receiving brush backs, and brush back holding stations operatively' associated with first and second brush fabricating means, such as drilling and tufting heads, so that said stations and said fabricating means are movable relative to each other to produce a series of selective functional stations for performing selective operations on said brush backs to thereby create a continuous and successive means for drilling and tuftingbrush backs. To elaborate further, this invention is directed to a brushmaking machine having a frame and means on the frame for receiving brush backs and first and second brush fabricating means, such as drilling and ltufting head, wherein there are a greater numher of one of said brush fabricating means than the other of said brush fabricating means; and said fabricating means and stations are mounted for relative movement to selectively dispose said brush back holder at predetermined stations for continuously and successively loading, drilling, tufting and unloading brush backs. In particular this invention is directed to a brushmaking machine having a frame and means including permanently located stations on the frame for receiving brush backs. Each station includes a brush back holder for operatively positioning a brush back with respect to a head mechanism carrying first and second brush fabricating means, such as drilling and tufting heads. These heads are permanently located on a head mechanism body which is movably mounted on the frame so that the heads may be moved between positions operatively associated with the permanently located stations for successively drilling and tufting the brush backs. Means is provided for moving this body between its various positions While concurrent ly loading and unloading the holders.

With reference to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, in the illustrated embodiment a brushmaking machine has a frame of any suitable type for mounting the machine on a floor. Handling means for supplying brush backs 11 and positioning the brush backs in the machine is here illustrated in the form of an upright, generally vertical magazine 12 for holding a stack of brush backs 11. By provision of an upright magazine, brush backs 11 may be fed into the top of the magazine in any suitable manner when the machine is inoperative as well as during any phase of operation of the machine, and thus the construction and operation of the machine is greatly simplified. This magazine holds a column of brush backs 11 and is open at its lower portion for discharging the bottom brush back in the stack at a receiving station of guide means, here in the form of a generally level shelf 13 having side guides 13a for retaining the brush backs oriented, and extending in one direction from the magazine to loading stations, indicated generally by reference numerals 14, for movement of brush backs 11 from the receiving station to the loading stations. This handling means includes feeding means, here in the form of a pusher member 15 which engages a brush back 11 at the receiving station of shelf 13. This pusher member has a rod suitably connected with a pneumatic motor 16 for driving the pusher member to the right as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2, to advance the brush backs to the right. Any suitable means, such as a return spring in the pneumatic motor, may be provided for returning the pusher member to its normal position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, and for resiliently holding the pusher member in this position. Thus, brush backs 11 are moved to the right on shelf 13 to maintain the shelf filled with a side abutting series of brush backs.

Loading means, one associated with each loading station 14, are provided for moving a brush back 11 from the respective loading station onto permanently located stations and more particularly onto one of a pair of rocking tables 17 pivoted on a bridge 17a, and into a brush back holder 18, one being part of each table. Herein the loading means are illustrated in the form of pusher members 19 each having a rod operatively connected with respective pneumatic motors 20 for driving pusher members 19 outwardly toward holders 18 which have moved toward the loading stations. It should be noted that one of the side guides 13a adjacent loading stations 14 has open portions 'so that the brush back may be pushed onto the adjacent holder 18. Motors 20 may be provided with suitable return means as discussed with reference to motor 16, for returning pusher members 19 to their normal position clear of shelf 13, and as shown in FIGURE 2.

Positioning means, for operatively positioning brush backs 11 in the machine are illustrated in the form of the previously mentioned tables 17 and holders 18. These tables are mounted on bridge 17a as at 18a for pivotal movement sideways of frame 10 responsive to side-way movement of push rod 18b pivoted to the tables as at 18c. Holders 18 are suitably mounted on table 17 for appropriate movement in operatively holding brush backs 11 so that they may be worked on by other portions of the machine, as is described in the aforementioned patents. Control of table movement is provided by means here including a group of three master cams 21, for example push rod 18b is drivingly linked to one of these cams as is well understood in the art and described in previously mentioned Patent 2,415,088. In addition to such movement, the tables and their holders are mounted for movement toward and away from shelf 13, and more particularly bridge 17a is movable forwardly and rearwardly on guides 21a for movement between a working position spaced a substantial distance from shelf 13, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3b, 6b, and 8b, and a brush back handling position closely proximate shelf 13, as shown in FIGURE 5b, to facilitate loading of a brush back 11 onto an empty holder 18 by means of an adjacent pusher member 19. Movement of holders 18 toward and away from shelf 13 is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, by a pneumatic motor 22 operatively connected with the bridge, as by rod 23, for moving holders 18 toward and away from handling position at shelf loading stations 14. Suitable means, such as previously described, may be provided in motor 22 for returning table 17 and its holders 18 to working position. It should be noted that holders 18 are effectively permanently located at stations fixed with respect to the frame, and while these holders are movable within the confines of their stations, the holders do not move from station to station, thus simplifying construction of the ma chine and facilitating manufacture of more complicated type brushes in an automatic machine. Suitable mounting and operating means are provided for moving the holders vertically, as by mounting the assembly on vertical rods, as 2211, and the previously noted forward and rearward tilting movement as well as vertical movement is providedin conventional manner, as described in Patent 2,415,088, as by cams 21. The bridge is pivoted as at 2311 for forward and rearward tilting to form flared brushes, and such movement is provided by a driving linkage with one of the master cams 21.

Each holder 18 is provided with securing means of any suitable type, for releasably retaining a brush back on the respective holder. Herein these means are each in the form of a stop 24 on the respective holder 18, and a clamping member 25 slidably mounted on the holder body for movement toward and away from the stop 24 responsive to operation of a pneumatic motor 26 connected with each of the clamping members 25 as by a rod 27, for pressing the clamping member against one side of the brush back 11 with the other side held against a stop 24. These motors 26 may be provided with return means as previously described for moving clamping members 25 out of clamping engagement with brush backs 11, thus releasing the brush back for removal from the holder.

When the brush backs are operatively secured in their respective holders 18, a head mechanism 30 is operated for working on the brush backs. In the illustrated embodiment head mechanism 30 is in the form of a body portion 31 carrying first and second brush fabricating means. The illustrated first fabricating means is in the form of a pair of brush back drilling heads 32, and the second fabricating means is in the form of a tufting head 33. These heads and their mounting on body 3 1 may be of any suitable and desired type, for example, as disclosed in the previously mentioned patents, and preferably the heads are operatively, fixedly but removably mounted on body 31. Briefly, drilling *heads 32 each have a chuck, as 34, carrying a drilling bit 35, and the chuck and bit are mounted on the respective head for rotation in normal manner and for operation up and down responsive to suitable cam actuated mechanism as described in the aforementioned patents, so that the bit may drill holes in predetermined positions in brush backs 11 mounted in holders 18. Tufting head 33 is usually provided with suitable tuft forming means and stapled forming means cooperating with a tufting portion 36 mounted for up and down reciprocal motion to insert and anchor a tuft in a previously drilled hole in brush back 11 therebelow. A tuft guard is also provided on tufting head 33 for assuring working clearance between previously inserted tufts while another tuft is being inserted by tufting portion 36. The tuft guard is often referred to as a tumbler, and its operation is controlled by means of a tumbler clutch, \as 37 (FIGURE 2), connected with a pneumatic motor 38 for reversing driving engagement of this clutch. It should be noted that the heads 32 and 33 per se form no part of this invention, and any suitable type of heads may be provided in lieu of the heads briefly described herein, or the heads described in the aforementioned patents.

In the illustrated embodiment, drilling heads 32 are mounted on body 31 so that drills 35 are spaced apart, in a direction across holders 18, a distance twice the spacing between the centers of holders 18, and tufting head 33 is mounted on body 31 so that the center of its tufting portion 36 is midway between drilling head bits 35. In the illustrated embodiment all heads have their brush fabricating parts in straight alignment.

Means is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, mounting head mechanism body 31 on frame for movement of the body between operative positions with one of the drilling heads 32 operatively associated with a brush back 11 in one of the holders 13, and the tufting head operatively associated with a brush back in the other holder 18 when body 31 is in a first position, and with tufting head 33 operatively associated with a brush back 11 in the previously mentioned one holder 18, and the other drilling head 32 operatively associated with a brush back in the previously mentioned other holder 18 when body 31 is in a second position. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, in either first or second position of body 31, one of the dr lling heads 32 is operatively associated with a brush back 11 in a holder 18, and the other drilling head is free of such operative association, while tufting head 33 is operatively associated with a brush back in a holder 18 in either first or second position of head mechanism body 31. More particularly, frame 10 has bosses 40 which slidably receive elongated rods 41 secured in anchor portions 42 of head mechanism body 31, thus mounting body 31 for sliding reciprocal movement of heads 32 and 33 across holders 18, as indicated by the solid line and dotted line representations of the head mechanism 30 in FIGURE 1.

Means is provided for operating head mechanism body 31 between its first and second positions, and in the illustrated embodiment, this means is in the form of a double acting pneumatic motor 43, as shown in FIGURE 2, having a piston 44 conventionally received in a cylinder 45 and having a piston rod 46 secured to body 31, with air lines 47 and 4S communicating, respectively, with opposite ends of the cylinder 45.

Thus, in either position of the head mechanism, one brush back 11 in a holder 13' is being drilled by one of the drilling heads 32 whilea previously drilled brush back 11 in the other holder 18 is being tufted by tufting head 33. Upon completion of these operations, the tufted brush back 11 is discharged from its holder 18 after release of the respective clamping means 25, by unloading means. Unloading means for discharging the tufted brush from its holder 18 is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, in the form of the adjacent plunger 19 and a brush back 11 at the adjacent loading station. As plunger 19 moves outwardly toward holder 1%, brush back 11 on shelf 13 engages the tufted brush back in the adjacent holder 18, and pushes the tufted brush back from the holder. Alternatively, the tables may be tilted, as forwardly, and the tufted brush back clamping means released to permit the completed brush to slide out of the 6 holder and drop downwardly between its holder 18 and shelf 13.- r

Control means is provided for moving the head mechanism 30 between its positions while concurrently moving holders 18 from working to handling position and operating clamping means 25 and the unloading means to release and discharge a tufted brush from its holder 18. This control means further operates the loading means for moving a brush back blank 11 from shelf 13 onto an empty holder from which the tufted brush has just been discharged, and operates securing means 25 of this holder to clamp the brush back in the holder. Additionally, this control means moves the holders from handling to working position after a fresh brush back has been moved onto a holder, and operates feeding means 15 for moving a brush back 11 on shelf 13 from the receiving station to fill the void on shelf 13 left by the brush back just loaded onto a holder 18. It should be understood that this control means provides for moving brush backs 11 from magazine 12 and, to holders 18, and for discharging the tufted brush back from its holder, along with operating the head mechanism to operatively position heads 32 and 33 over brush backs in the holders 18; and that other suitable means are provided for controlling other operations of the machine, such as actuation of drilling heads 32 and tufting head 33, and positioning of brush backs with respect to heads 32 and 33 all in a suitable manner as described in the aforementioned patents. This last mentioned means for regulating normal operation of brushmaking machines usually utilizes tzhree rather large cams, as 21, mounted on a common shaft 52, with the cams and shaft making two revolutions and completing two brushes, one from each holder station, with all parts of the mechanism returned to original position during each complete cycle of the machine. Thus, during one complete revolution of these main cams 21 and main cam shaft 52, a brush back 11 is completely drilled in one of the holders 1%, anda previously drilled brush back iscompletely tufted in the other holder 18.

The previously mentioned control means for operating the. brush back supply, loading and unloading operations of the machine, include cams of a second group of cams, here six in number. More particularly, as shown in FIGURE 2, these cams are in the form of six circular discs, 55155-6, all mounted on a common control shaft 56 which is-also mounts a pinion 57 driven by an idler gear 58 which is in turn driven by a driving gear 59 mounted on main camshaft 52 for rotationwith main cams 21. Each disc 55 mounts actuating fingers, and more particularly one or more on fingers, as 66, each of which engages a lug on an operating lever, as 67, to move the lever and turn on an air valve, as 68, and to interlock the lever with a holding pawl, as 69, of the respective valve. Each disc also mounts at least one other actuating finger and more particularly an off finger, as

70, each of which engages an associated locking pawl 69 to release a respective lever 67 for operation of the valve to closed position. As shown in FIGURE 9, fingers .66 and '70 of each disc 55 are spaced apart axially of the disc, and the lug of lever 67 and pawl 69 of each valve 63 are similarly spaced apart in the-direction of control shaft axis so as to be engaged only by the intended finger. It. should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, control shaft 56 is geared to main camshaft 55 so that shaft 56 makes one revolution for every two revolutions of the main cam shaft, and thus discs 55 make one revolutron for each complete cycle of the machine during which two tufted brushesare completed.

These control means, as shown in FIGURE 2, will be described with reference to a complete cycle of operation as shown in the sequence of operation illustrated in FIG- URES 38. As shown .in FIGURE 3, the machine has just completed drilling and tufting brush backs 11, and drilling head chucks 34 and tufting head portions 36 have moved to an elevated position away from the brush backs,

with head mechanism 30 in its first position at the right end of its travel. Head mechanism 30 now moves through an intermediate position, as shown in FIGURE 4, to its second position at the left end of its travel, as shown in FIGURE 5, with the heads 32 and 33 still in their upper position. With the head mechanism still in its second position, portions of heads 32 and 33 move downwardly to drill and tuft brush backs below the right hand drilling head 32 and below tufting head 33. Head mechanism 30 now moves from second position through an intermediate position, as shown in FIGURE 7, and back to its first position as shown in FIGURE 8, with the left hand drilling head drilling a brush back on the holder therebelow and the tufting head tufting previously drilled brush back. From this position, as shown in FIGURE 8, the head mechanism 30 remains in its first position as chucks 34 of heads 32 and tufting portion 36 of head 33 move from the position shown in FIGURE 8 to the original position as shown in FIGURE 3, thereby completing one full cycle of operation of the machine after drilling and tufting two brush backs. As head mechanism 30 moves in either direction between its first and second positions, the brush back holders 18 move back and forth between their working and handling positions, as shown in FIGURES and 7, with a tufted brush back being released by securing means 25 and discharged from its holder 18 by the unloading means with another brush back being positioned on this holder by loading means plunger 19.

With reference to FIGURE 2, operation of the control means is as follows: with the machine in normal operation, control shaft 56 is rotating and drives each of the discs 5115556 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrows on these discs.

Off finger 70 on brush holder control disc 551 is about to release locking pawl 69 from locking engagement with actuating lever 67 of right hand valve 68-1R to shut off the application of compressed air to right hand pneumatic motor 26 so that the associated securing means clamp member 25 will be retracted, thereby freeing tufted brush back 11 for discharge from its holder 18 by the unloading means. During the interval required for on finger 66 of brush holder disc 551 to engage the lug on actuating lever 67, a brush back 11 will have been moved onto this holder 18 and as this finger 66 engages the lug on lever 67, air pressure is again applied to the right hand pneumatic motor 26, moving clamp member 25 into tight clamping engagement with the brush. back. This subcycle is repeated as off finger 76 of brush holder disc 551 engages the lug on locking pawl 69 of left hand air valve 68-1L to release clamping member 25 of the left hand holder 18, whereupon a tufted brush in this holder is discharged by the unloading means, and as on finger 66 engages the lug on actuating lever 67 air pressure is again applied to motor 26 to tightly clamp clamping member 25 against a newly inserted brush back 11 on the left hand holder 18. A tumbler reversal disc 552 has two sets of fingers 66 and 70 which cooperate with air valve 68-2 for operating tumbler clutch motor 38, and this operation of the machine has been shown as incorporated in the present control means rather than in its normal location on one of the main cams 21, to indicate the ver satility of the present control means. The operation of the tumbler is in keeping with suitable operation of the machine as a whole as described in the aforementioned patents. Similarly, an upper clutch control including disc 553 and upper clutch 71 illustrates how another normal function of the main cam group may be incorporated into the present control means, and it is the function of this clutch to control drilling and tufting operation of heads 32 and 33, respectively. As discussed previously, an important feature of this machine is to provide a fully automatic brushmaking machine, and the transfer of a certain control functions from the main cam group to the present automation control means facilitates an additiona1 amount of useful controlling periphery on the main cams 21.

' Control of the sliding head mechanism includes disc 554 which is provided with one off finger 70 and one on finger 66. These fingers cooperate with air valve 68-4L which is opened for moving piston 44- of motor 43 to the left in cylinder 45, thereby moving body 31 to the left as illustrated in FIGURE 2, and a second valve 68-4R for moving piston 44 and body 31 to the right. In the illustrated embodiment, a magazine feed control and a table fore and aft control are combined and utilize disc 555, and two sets of fingers 66 and '76] both of which cooperate with a table control air valve 68-5T and a feeding control air valve 68-5F. Referring to operation of the table control, as an on finger 66 engages the lug on lever 67 of table control valve 68-5T, air pressure is applied in motor 22 to move table 17 from its normal working position, as shown in FIGURE 2, forward toward shelf 13 and handling position, and table 17 remains in this position until a finger 70 engages pawl 69. The other on finger 66 on disc 555 engages the lug on lever 67 of feeding control valve 68-5F to turn this valve on and apply air pressure to motor 16 thereby moving feeding plunger 15 outwardly to move the brush backs 11 on shelf 13 to the right, as viewed in FIGURES l and 2, to fill the void left by the brush back 11 previously moved onto a holder 18. The associated off" finger 76 operates in normal manner to release locking pawls 69 whereupon the valve closes and plunger 15 returns to its normal position.

A loading control includes disc 556 for operating loading plungers 19, and these plungers operate independently, the right hand plunger being controllled by air valve 68-6R and the left hand loading means plunger 19 being controlled by air valve 68-6L. Disc 55-6 has one set of fingers, an on finger 66 and an off finger 70, so that plungers 19 are telescoped outwardly for a very short period of time and rapidly move brush back 11 to the front of the respective plunger onto the holder 18 as the previously tufted brush back is discharged therefrom.

The precise timing of operation of the machine as controlled by the main cam group, as cams 21, and the automation cam group, may vary in any suitable manner to provide smooth operation of the machine, and a generally suitable timing is indicated by the position of fingers 66 and 70 in FIGURE 2.

I claim:

1. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: positioning means including permanently located stations for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned; handling means for supplying brush backs to said stations; unloading means for effecting discharge of brush backs from said stations; means having a body and first and second brush fabricating means mounted on said body; means mounting said body for movement between operative positions with said first fabricating means operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a second of said stations in another of said positions, and with said second fabricating means operatively associated with said second station in said one position and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions; and means moving said body between said positions while conctu'rently operating said unloading means to discharge a brush back from its station and provide an empty station, and operating said handling means for positionin a brush back on an empty station.

2. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: positioning means for operatively positioning brush backs in the machine and including permanently located stations for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned at the respective station; handling means for supplying brush backs to said stations; unloading means for discharging brush backs from said stations; a head mechanism having a body, and brush hack drilling means and brush back tufting means operatively fixedly mounted on said body; means mounting said body for movement between operative positions with saidtufting means operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a second of said stations inanother' of said positions, and with said drilling means operatively associated with said second station in said one position and operatively associated with said one station in said another of said positions; and means moving said body between said positions while concurrently operating said unloading means to discharge a brush back from its station and provide an empty station, and operating said handling means for positioning a brush back on an empty station.

3. In a brushrnaking machine, the combination comprising: positioning means for operatively positioning brush backs in the machine and including permanently located stations each having a holder for releasably retaining a brush back operatively positioned in the machine; handling means for supplying brush backs to said stations and positioning said brush backs on said stations; unloading means for discharging brush backs from said holders; a head mechanism having a body, and a pair of brush back drilling heads and a brush back tufting head operatively intedly mounted on said body; means mounting said body for movement between operative positions with one of said drilling heads operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and a second of-said drilling heads operatively associated with a second of said stations another of said positions, and with said tufting head operatively associated with said second station in said one position and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions; and means for moving said body between said positions while concurrently operating said unloading means to discharge a brush back from its station, and operating said handling means for positioning a brush back on the last said station.

4. In a brusbmaking machine, the combination comprising: a frame: a pair of spaced apart permanently located working stations each having securing means for releasably retaining a brush back operatively positioned at the respective station; guide means having a receiving station and extending therefrom in one direction to loading stations, one associated with each of said Working stations, for guiding of brush backs from said receiving station to said loading stations; feeding means operable for moving brush backs from said receiving station to said loading stations; loading means for moving brush backs from said loading stations onto the respective working stations; unloading means for discharging brush backs from said working stations; a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads mounted on said body and spaced apart a distance equal to at least twice the spacing between said holders, and a tufting head equally spaced between said drilling heads and mounted on said body; means mounting said body on said frame for movement between first and second operative positions with said tufting head operatively associated with one of said stations in first position and the other of said stations in second position, and a first of said' drilling heads operatively associated with said other station in first-position and a second of said drilling heads operatively associatcd with said one station in second position; and means for moving said body between its positions wlnle concurrently operating said securingmeans and said unloading means to release and discharge a tufted brush from its station, operating said loading means for moving a brush back onto the last said station and said securing means for retaining the last said brush back operatively positioned on the last said station, and for operating said feeding means.

5. A brushmaking machine comprising: a frame: positioning means for operatively positioning brush backs in the machine and including a pair of spaced apart perma 10 nently located stations each defined by a brush back holder mounted on said frame for movement between a working position and a brush back handling position, each holder having securing means for releasably retaining a'brush back on the respective holder; handling means for positioning brush backs on the holders and including guide means comprising a shelf operatively stationary with respect to said frame and closely proximate said holders in handling position and relatively remote from said holders in working position, said shelf having a receiving station and extending therefrom in one direction to loading stations, one associated with eachholder, for movement of said brush backs from said receiving station to said loading stations, an upright magazine for receiving brush backs when the machine is inoperative and during any phase of operation of the machine and discharging said brush backs at said receiving station, feeding means operable for moving brush backs from said receiving station to said loading stations, and loading means for moving a brush back from either loading station onto the respective holders; unloading means for discharging brush backs from said holders; a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads for forming holes in said brush backs, said drilling heads being operatively fixedly mounted on said body and spaced apart a distance equal to twice the spacing between said holders, and a tufting head aligned with and equally spaced between said drilling heads and operatively fixedly mounted on said body for inserting tufts into said holes in said brush back; means mounting said body on said frame for reciprocal movement between first and second operative positions with said tufting head operatively associated with one of said holdersin first position and the other of said holders in second position, and a first of said drilling heads opera tively associated with said other holder in first position and the second of said drilling heads operatively associated with said one holder in second position; and means for moving said body between its positions while concurrently moving said holders from working position to handling position and operating said securing means and said unloading means to release and discharge a tufted brush back from its holder, operating said loading means for moving a brush back onto the last said holder and operating said securing means for retaining the last said brush back on the last said holder, moving said holders from handling position to working position after the last said brush back has been loaded on the last said holder, and

for operating said feeding means.

6. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: permanently located stations for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned; means for sup plying brush backs to said stations and effecting discharge of brush backs from said stations; and first and second brush fabricating means mounted for movement between operative positions with said first fabricating means operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a second of said stations in another of said positions, and with said second fabricating means operatively associated with said second station in one of said positions and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions.

7. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: permanently located stations for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned; and first and second brush fabricating means mounted for movement between operative positions with said first fabricating means'operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a. second of said stations in another of saidpositions, and with said second fabricating means operatively associated with said second station in one of said positions and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions.

8. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: means including permanently located stations'for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned and moving the respective brush back to numerous brush fabricating positions; and first and second brush fabricating means for working on said brush backs operatively positioned at said stations and mounted for movement between operative positions with said first fabricating means operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a second of said stations in another of said positions, and with said second fabricating means operatively associated with said second station in one of said positions and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions.

9. A br ushmaking machine comprising: a frame: spaced apart permanently located stations each for releasably retaining a brush back; a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads for forming holes in said brush backs, said drilling heads being operatively fixedly mounted on said body and spaced apart a distance equal to twice the spacing between said stations, and a tufting head equally spaced between said drilling heads and operatively fixedly mounted on said body for inserting tufts into said holes in a brush back; and means mounting said body on said frame for reciprocal movement between first and second operative positions with said tufting head operatively associated with one of said stations in first position and the other of said stations in second position, and a first of said drilling heads operatively associated with said other stations in first position and the second of said drilling heads operatively associated with said one station in second position.

10. A brushmaking machine comprising: a frame: means including spaced apart permanently located stations each for releasably retaining a brush back and moving the respective brush back to numerous drilling or tufting positions; a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads for forming holes in said brush backs, said drilling heads being operatively fixedly mounted on said body and spaced apart a distance equal to twice the spacing between said stations, and a tufting head equally spaced between said drilling heads and operatively fixedly mounted on said body for inserting tufts into said holes in a brush back; and means mounting said body on said frame for reciprocal movement between first and second operative positions with said tufting head operatively associated with one of said stations in first position and the other of said stations in second position, and a first of said drilling heads operatively associated with said other station in first position and the second of said drilling heads operatively associated with said one station in second position.

11. In a brushmaking machine, the combination comprising: positioning means including permanently located stations for releasably retaining brush backs operatively positioned and moving the operatively positioned brush backs to various fabricating positions for making a flared brush; and first and second brush fabricating means for working on said brush backs operatively positioned at said stations, and mounted for movement between operative positions with said first fabricating means operatively associated with one of said stations in one of said positions and with a second of said stations in another of said positions, and with said second fabricating means operatively associated With said second station in one of said positions and operatively associated with said one station in a subsequent one of said positions.

12. The machine of claim 11 wherein said stations are each provided with brush back holders operatively retaining the respective brush back and mounted for movement of its brush back to said fabricating positions.

'13. The machine of claim 11 wherein said stations are each provided with a brush back holder operatively retaining the respective brush back and mounted for movement of its brush back to said fabricating positions, and said positioning means further including cam operated means for so moving said holders.

14. The machine of claim 11 wherein one of said stations is unloaded and loaded concurrently with said fabri-- eating means moving between their said positions.

15. The machine of claim 11 wherein a brush back is discharged from one of said stations and another brush back is operatively positioned at the last said station concurrently with said fabricating means moving between their said positions.

16. A brushmaking machine comprising: a frame: spaced apart permanently located stations each including a holder for releasably retaining a brush back, each holder being mounted on said frame for movement of its brush back to numerous brush fabricating positions including tilted positions transverse to each other to provide spaced apart and flared tufts; means for unloading a tufted brush back from a holder and loading a brush back blank on the last said holder; a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads for forming holes in said brush backs, said drilling heads being operatively fixedly mounted on said body and spaced apart a distance equal to twice the spacing between said stations, and a tufting head equally spaced between said drilling heads and operatively fixedly mounted on said body for inserting tufts into said holes in a brush back; and means mounting said body on said frame for reciprocal movement between first and second operative positions with said tufting head operatively associated with one of said stations in first position and the other of said stations in second position, and a first of said drilling heads operatively associated with said other stations in first position and the second of said drilling heads operatively associated with said one station in second position; said body moving between its positions concurrently with operation of the unloading and loading means, and said holders moving between their positions between drilling and tuft ing operation of said heads. I

17., A brushmaking machine comprising: positioning means including stations each for releasably retaining a brush back; means mounting said positioning means on said frame for synchronous movement of said brush backs in numerous brush fabricating positions; first operating means for so moving said positioning means between said positions; drilling and tufting means including a body and drilling and tufting heads mounted on said body for drilling and tufting brush backs; means mounting said body for movement between positions operatively associating said heads with different stations; second operating means to so move said body between its positions; feed means operable for unloading a tufted brush back from a holder and loading a brush back blank on the last said holder; and control means for operating said first and second operating means and said feed means in timed relationship with each other.

18. In the brushmaking machine of claim 17, said control means operating said second operating means to move said body between its positions concurrently with operation of said feed means, and operating said first operating means for moving said positioning means between their positions synchronously with operation of said drilling and tufting heads.

19. A brushmaking machine comprising: aframe: positioning means including spaced apart permanently located stations each including a holder for releasably retaining a brush back; means mounting said positioning means on said frame for synchronous movement of each holder to position its brush back in numerous brush fabricating positions including tilted positions displaced longitudinally and laterally about each brush back to provide a flared brush; first operating means for so moving said positioning means between said holder positions; drilling and tufting means including a head mechanism having a body, a pair of drilling heads operative for forming holes 13 atively fixedly mounted on said body, and operative for inserting tufts into the brush baek holes; means mounting said body on said frame for reciprocal movement between first and second positions with said tufting head :operatively associated with one of said stations in first positions and the other of said stations in second position, and a first of said drilling heads operatively associated with said other station in first position and the second of said drilling heads operatively associated with said one station in second position; second operating means to so move said body between its positions; feed means operable for unloading a tufted brush back from 14 a holder and loading a brush back blank on the last said holder; and control means for operating said first and second operating means and said feed means in timed relationship with each other.

20. In the brushmaking machine of claim 19, said control means operating said second operating means to move said body between its positions concurrently with operation of said feed means, and operating said first operating means for moving said holders between their positions synchrononslywith operation of said drilling and tufting heads.

No references cited. 

1. IN A BRUSHMAKING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: POSITIONING MEANS INCLUDING PERMANENTLY LOCATED STATIONS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING BRUSH BACKS OPERATIVELY POSITIONED; HANDLING MEANS FOR SUPPLYING BRUSH BACKS TO SAID STATIONS; UNLOADING MEANS FOR EFFECTING DISCHARGE OF BRUSH BACKS FROM SAID STATIONS; MEANS HAVING A BODY AND FIRST AND SECOND BRUSH FABRICATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BODY; MEANS MOUNTING SAID BODY FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN OPERATIVE POSITIONS WITH SAID FIRST FABRICATING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF SAID STATIONS IN ONE OF SAID POSITIONS WITH SAID FIRST FABRICATING IN ANOTHER OF SAID POSITIONS, AND WITH SAID SECOND FABRICATING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SECOND STATION IN SAID ONE POSITION AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ONE STATION IN A SUBSEQUENT ONE OF SAID POSITIONS; AND MEANS MOVING SAID BODY BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS WHILE CONCURRENTLY OPERATING SAID UNLOADING MEANS TO DISCHARGE A BRUSH BACK FROM ITS STATION AND PROVIDE AN EMPTY STATION, AND OPERATING SAID HANDING MEANS FOR POSITIONING A BRUSH BACK ON AN EMPTY STATION. 